Bucs Gameday

Buccaneers Starting Cornerback Out for Week 4 vs. Saints

The Buccaneers' defense is heavily dependent on their two best cornerbacks staying on the field. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case so far this year.

Collin Haalboom

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a substantial investment in their starting cornerbacks over the past two offseasons.

Last year, it was Carlton Davis who earned himself a beefy contract (3-year, $44.5 million) to remain in Tampa Bay through the 2024 season. This past offseason, Jamel Dean agreed to a 4-year, $52 million contract to stay with the Bucs.

Both players were drafted by Bucs' GM, Jason Licht, developed by the Buccaneers coaching staff and played key roles in helping to deliver a Super Bowl to Tampa Bay. 

Dean and Davis' path to success has been a feel-good story for the Bucs. But it comes with a caveat. 

As good as Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis have been for the Buccaneers when they're on the field, the reality is, both players have had a lot of trouble health wise.

READ MORE: Todd Bowles Calls Out Buccaneers' Running Back After Eagles Loss

As a result, there have been a lot of games where one or the other, or both, have been unavailable.

And so far in 2023, that trend has continued.

After suffering an unspecified toe injury in the Buccaneers' season opener vs. the Minnesota Vikings, Carlton Davis was held out of the lineup for weeks 2 and 3. And as fantastic as it is to see that he will likely be returning to the lineup for this week's important divisional matchup vs. the New Orleans Saints, the opposite scenario is playing out for his running mate, Jamel Dean. 

In Monday Night's defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dean suffered a neck/shoulder injury in the first half. Although he was able to gut it out for the majority of the game, it was obvious that he was laboring throughout.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers Quarterback Expected to Start Sunday With Saints   

After being held out of practice this week, Friday's injury report confirmed that Dean will need more time to rest before returning to the field.

As good of a tandem as Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis have become, the two players are obviously most effective when they're on the field together. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened often.

Even though that trend has continued so far this season, hopefully, both players can get back to full health in the near future, and resume the high level of play they have shown over the course of their careers. 

You can follow Collin Haalboom on X.

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Collin Haalboom
COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.